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  • © 2015

Helium

The Disappearing Element

  • Reviews the difference between cosmic helium, which represents around a quarter of all matter in the Universe, and Earthly helium, which is extremely rare and difficult to find
  • Underscores how rare helium is and suggests strategies on how to conserve this valuable resource
  • Highlights the important uses for helium and why it is a critical component in so many industries and scientific endeavors
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Earth Sciences (BRIEFSEARTH)

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Table of contents (6 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiii
  2. What Is Helium?

    • Wheeler M. “Bo” Sears Jr.
    Pages 1-15
  3. Where Does Helium Come from?

    • Wheeler M. “Bo” Sears Jr.
    Pages 17-30
  4. Foundations of Discovery

    • Wheeler M. “Bo” Sears Jr.
    Pages 31-64
  5. Helium on Earth

    • Wheeler M. “Bo” Sears Jr.
    Pages 65-84
  6. The Helium Industry

    • Wheeler M. “Bo” Sears Jr.
    Pages 85-130
  7. Helium Today

    • Wheeler M. “Bo” Sears Jr.
    Pages 131-138

About this book

The subject of the book is helium, the element, and its use in myriad applications including MRI machines, particle accelerators, space telescopes, and of course balloons and blimps. It was at the birth of our Universe, or the Big Bang, where the majority of cosmic helium was created; and stellar helium production continues. Although helium is the second most abundant element in the Universe, it is actually quite rare here on Earth and only exists because of radioactive elements deep within the Earth. This book includes a detailed history of the discovery of helium, of the commercial industry built around it, how the helium we actually encounter is produced within the Earth, and the state of the helium industry today. The gas that most people associate with birthday party balloons is running out. “Who cares?” you might ask. Well, without helium, MRI machines could not function, rockets could not go into space, particle accelerators such as those used by CERN could not operate, fiber optic cables would not exist, and semiconductor chips could not be made…the list goes on and on.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Weil Group Resources LLC, Weil Helium LLC, Dallas, USA

    Wheeler M. "Bo" Sears, Jr.

About the author

Wheeler M. “Bo” Sears, Jr.'s entire working career has been involved with oil, gas, and helium exploration. The former Vice-President of Inter-American Corporation and now President of Weil Helium, LLC, Bo has spent the past ten years devoted to helium exploration centering on deposits across the mid-continent region of North America. Weil Helium is one of the only companies in the world involved in helium “exploration” as a primary pursuit; traditionally, helium has been produced as a secondary or tertiary bi-product of natural gas production. On July 11, 2013, Wheeler testified before the United States House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources on the topic of “America’s Helium Supply: Options for Producing more Helium from Federal Lands.”

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access